Bylaws of the Association of Vietnamese Experts and Intellectuals in Denmark (AVIDE)
Chapter I: GENERAL PROVISIONS
Article 1. Name, Headquarters, Emblem, Core Values, and Scope of Activities
1. Vietnamese name: “Hội Chuyên gia và Trí thức người Việt Nam tại Đan Mạch”, Danish: “Forening af Vietnamesiske Eksperter og Intellektuelle i Danmark“, English: “The Association of Vietnamese Experts and Intellectuals in Denmark”, common abbreviation: “AVIDE”. Hereinafter referred to as the Association or AVIDE.
2. Date of establishment of the Association: January 15, 2023.
3. Headquarters of the Association: Herningvej 296, Aalborg 9220, Denmark.
4. Core Values: Solidarity – Mutual Support – Development – For Denmark and Vietnam.
5. Scope of Activities and Cooperation: Denmark, Vietnam, and all of Europe.
Article 2. Objectives, Principles
1. AVIDE is a non-profit, non-governmental social organization aiming to gather Vietnamese experts and intellectuals studying, researching, and working in Denmark.
2. To build the AVIDE community based on its Core Values, as well as practical benefits for members and the community.
3. To build the AVIDE community for deep and sustainable integration into the host society and for the prosperity, peace, and development of both Denmark and Vietnam.
4. To make practical contributions to science and technology, economy, culture, and society through knowledge, skills, and dedication.
Article 3. Principles of Organization and Operation
1. Voluntary, self-governing, democratic, egalitarian, open, transparent, financially autonomous, compliant with the Association’s Bylaws, and compliant with Danish law.
2. Operating independently, with the cooperative patronage of the Embassy of Vietnam in the Kingdom of Denmark and in cooperation with Vietnamese and Danish organizations, agencies, and associations.
Chapter II: FUNCTIONS, DUTIES
Article 4. Functions and Duties
The Association has the following functions and duties:
A – Towards the Interests of Members
- Update information and facilitate communication with associations in Denmark to protect members’ rights.
- Assist members and new or current students in Denmark with life, skill development, and career advancement.
B – Contributions to Vietnam
- Connect to organize conferences and activities for exchanging research cooperation and transferring knowledge and technology.
- Expand cooperative relationships to bring Vietnamese intellectuals to Denmark for study and professional training.
C – Towards the Vietnamese Community in Denmark
- Organize workshops and seminars to provide information to members and individuals on various fields in Denmark.
- Support cooperation and integration activities of the Vietnamese community in Denmark.
D – Cooperation with Other Organizations, Agencies, and Associations
- Connect, support, and cooperate with organizations and associations in Denmark, Vietnam, and Europe in accordance with the Association’s objectives and principles.
Specific action programs will be established by the Association’s Executive Committee to implement these functions and duties.
Chapter III: MEMBERSHIP
Article 5. Members of the Association
1. Official Members: Are Vietnamese individuals or individuals of Vietnamese origin who have studied, researched, or worked in Denmark; possess academic qualifications in science and technology, education, business, or have skills that can benefit the community. Those who meet these criteria may apply according to the Executive Committee’s guidelines to become Official Members.
2. Advisors: Nominated and admitted by the Association’s Executive Committee. They are not required to pay membership fees but may sponsor the Association’s activities. Advisors have the same rights and responsibilities as Official Members, except for voting rights.
Article 6. Duties of Members
1. Comply with and implement the Resolutions and Bylaws of the Association, and unite and support other members.
2. Actively participate in the Association’s activities.
3. Pay membership fees in full and on time as stipulated by the Association.
4. Members shall not arbitrarily use the Association’s name to affect its reputation.
Article 7. Rights of Members
1. To attend the General Assembly, run for election, and be nominated for leadership positions in the Association; to be elected as a member of the Executive Committee and a member of the Supervisory Board.
2. To participate in discussions, contribute constructive opinions, and vote on the Association’s decisions, policies, programs, and activity plans.
3. To receive assistance and favorable conditions from the Association in activities consistent with its principles and objectives.
4. To participate in activities organized by the Association free of charge; to receive documents and publications issued by the Association free of charge.
5. To have the right to resign from the Association.
6. Membership rights terminate when a member resigns from the Association, passes away, or the Association is dissolved.
Chapter IV: ORGANIZATION, ACTIVITIES
Article 8. Organizational Structure of the Association
The Association’s organization includes:
- Executive Committee
- External Relations Committee
- Science and Education Committee
- Internal Affairs Committee (Finance – Logistics – Technical)
- Communications Committee
- Supervisory Board
- Advisory Board
Article 9. General Assembly of Members
It is held once every four years, organized by the Executive Committee. The General Assembly is valid when at least 1/3 of the official delegates are present. The General Assembly elects the Executive Committee for the new term, reviews the past term, and plans for the new term.
Article 10. Executive Committee
1. The Association’s Executive Committee is the body that manages the Association’s activities between two General Assemblies. The number of Executive Committee members is decided by the General Assembly.
2. The term of office for the Executive Committee is four years, aligning with the term of the General Assembly.
Article 11. Supervisory Board
1. The Supervisory Board is elected by the General Assembly and consists of 1 to 3 members, headed by a Chair.
2. The Supervisory Board is responsible for inspecting and overseeing the Association’s activities but does not have voting rights or the authority to resolve petitions, complaints, or denunciations within the Association.
Chapter V: FINANCE
Article 12. Association’s Finances
The Association’s finances are derived from the following sources:
1. Membership fees contributed by members, with the fee level determined by the Executive Committee to suit specific periods.
2. Voluntary contributions from organizations and individuals, in cash or in kind, in accordance with legal provisions.
3. Sponsored projects from governmental and non-governmental organizations.
4. Other lawful revenues.
Article 13. Financial Management and Use
1. All financial expenditures of the Association must comply with legal regulations and those of the Executive Committee.
2. All expenses of the Association must comply with the provisions in the Bylaws and the plans approved by the Association.
3. The Executive Committee may decide to provide financial support for the Association’s events.
4. The Association’s finances must be audited and reported according to the principles of openness and transparency.
5. The Association may collect fees for cultural, tourism, sports, and other activities organized by the Association, with the aim of covering the actual costs of those activities.
Chapter VI: REWARDS, DISCIPLINE
Article 14. Rewards
1. For individuals who have made positive contributions to the integration process of the Vietnamese community, preserved, promoted, and spread national cultural identity, or contributed to Vietnam or Denmark: The Association will implement forms of commendation or propose that Vietnamese agencies and organizations grant commendations and awards.
2. The Association’s Executive Committee shall specify the procedures, criteria, and forms of rewards.
Article 15. Discipline
1. Depending on the severity of the violation of the Association’s Bylaws and legal regulations, the Association’s Executive Committee will impose forms of reprimand, warning, revocation of a member’s right to participate in the General Assembly, or dismissal from positions within the Association.
2. The Association’s Executive Committee shall specify the procedures and forms of internal discipline within the Association in accordance with the Bylaws and legal regulations.
Chapter VII: DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION OF ASSETS AND FINANCES
Article 16. Dissolution
The Association shall be dissolved if the General Assembly of members votes with a 2/3 majority of the total delegates in favor.
Article 17. Handling of Assets and Finances upon Dissolution
1. Upon deciding to dissolve, the Association’s Executive Committee will establish a Liquidation Committee to work with the Executive Committee and the Supervisory Board.
2. The dissolution and liquidation of the Association’s assets shall be carried out in accordance with the current Danish civil code.
Chapter VIII: IMPLEMENTATION PROVISIONS
Article 18. Effectiveness
These Bylaws were adopted by the First General Assembly of the Association in Copenhagen, Denmark, on January 15, 2023, and are effective from the aforementioned date; these Bylaws can only be officially supplemented or amended at a General Assembly of members.
Article 19. Responsibility for Implementation
Individuals and member organizations of the Association are responsible for fully implementing the provisions of these Bylaws.
FOR THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE ASSOCIATION
PRESIDENT
(Signed)